With all the events in the Baltimore sports world this week ? from Cal Ripken Jr.?s Hall of Fame election to the Ravens-Colts playoff clash Saturday ? it?s easy to forget that there is a defending NCAA Final Four basketball team coming to town tonight.
Don?t tell that to Towson?s men?s basketball team, though.
“It?s a tough week publicity-wise, but that?s OK,” Tigers coach Pat Kennedy said. “But people around the country are looking at George Mason scores, and if you beat them, it?s a good feather in your cap.”
The Patriots (7-7 overall) are currently in a four-way tie for seventh place in the Colonial Athletic Association standings. Towson (7-7) is one spot ahead of George Mason, last year?s Cinderella team in the NCAA tournament,with a 2-2 record in conference play. With both teams clamoring for higher position in the league, there?s no question about the intensity level entering tonight?s game.
“I think it?s going to be pretty high,” Towson senior guard Gary Neal said. “George Mason is going to come in thirsty and hungry at 1-3 in the league, thinking this is a must-win.”
But, as Neal said, it?s also a must-win for the Tigers.
“This is a kind of game we have to win,” said Neal, who is averaging 24.6 points per game, good for fifth in the nation.
In the short term, a Towson win would provide a solid springboard into the season?s second half. The long-term benefits of defeating a defending Final Four program would be tremendous.
“We?re right there. This is as close as any team I?ve ever had to being on the brink, so to speak,” Kennedy said. “And a few big games, home or away, will push us forward.”
George Mason?s star power ? including the likes of Neal?s former Aberdeen High teammate, Jai Lewis ? has diminished since last season. But the Tigers still are expecting a classic.
“I?m just expecting a tough league game,” Neal said. “This league is definitely nothing easy. So far, we?ve had two double-overtime games. I don?t expect this game to be any different. I expect it to come down to the last one or two possessions.”
GEORGE MASON INVASION
» When: 7 p.m., Tonight
» Where: Towson Center
» TV/Radio: ESPNU/1090 AM
